Hot-air heater and boiler therefor



Get. 17, 1950 w, FOLK 2,526,464

HOT-AIR HEATER AND BOILER THEREFOR Filed March 14, 194'? l N VEN TOR.

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Patented Oct. 17, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE HOT-AIR HEATER AND BOILER THEREFOR George W. Folk, Kalamazoo, Mich. Application March 14, 1947, Serial No. 734,784

8 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in a hot air heater and boiler therefor.

The main objects of this invention are:

First, to provide a hot air heater which is simple and compact in structure and at the same time highly eflicient.

Second, to provide a hot air heater through which it is possible to circulate a relatively large amount of air and heat the same to the desired temperature.

Third, to provide a hot air heater utilizing a large percentage of the fuel consumed.

Fourth, to provide a boiler which is very compact and of a large capacity in proportion to it size.

Objects relating to detail-s and economies of the invention will appear from the description to follow. The invention is defined in the claims.

A structure which embodies the features of g the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which Fig. 1 is a, fragmentary view in vertical section on line corresponding to line l--l of Fig. 2, the burner, air filter and the blower being shown by dotted lines.

Fig. 2 is a horizontal section on line Fig.1.

The embodiment of my invention illustrated is designed as a house heater or furnace. The boiler thereof comprises a combustion chamber I of flattened or oval section and of uniform diameter from end to end disposed in an upright position. The water reservoir 2 is of the same cross sectional shape as the boiler and is arranged concentrically thereof, the bottom and top of the reservoir being spaced from the bottom and top of the combustion chamber. These parts are formed of sheet steel and are held in proper spaced relation by the legs 3 at the bottom of the combustion chamber and the spacers 6 between the side walls of the combustion chamber and the reservoir.

The thimble 5 is connected aligned openings in the walls of the combustion chamber and reservoir to provide an opening 6 through which the burner 1 may be arranged. The support for the burner is indicated at 8 by dotted lines. The space between the walls of the combustion chamber and reservoir is desirably of the order of 1", there being a space at the top and bottom exceeding this.

A heat exchange unit designated generally by the numeral 9 is arranged in a laterally offset relation to the boiler and comprises the inlet to the edges ofheader [0 connected to the top of the boiler by the pipe H and the outlet header I2 connected to the reservoir adjacent the bottom thereof by the pipe l3. A plurality of pipes l4 extend between the headers. The radiator designated generally by the numeral IE comprises the inlet header l6 and the outlet header H, the inlet header being of substantial size and secured'to the side of the reservoir so that the wall of the reservoir constitutes the inner wall of the header. The flue I8 connects the header 16 with the combustion chamber adjacent the top thereof. The outlet header is provided with an outlet flue or discharge flue 19. The radiator headers are connected by a plurality of flues 20. The radiator is arranged below and in alignment with the heat exchange unit. The heat exchange unit and the radiator are formed of sheet steel with welded joints and the header I6 is welded to the reservoir.

I have not attempted to illustrate the joints or the welding as that. is a manufacturing feature which I believe will be understood from the disclosure.

The casing designated generally by the numeral 2| is also formed of sheet metal and is of suitable dimension to enclose the boiler and the radiator and heat exchange unit. The casing is desirably of rectangular, horizontal section and is provided with a vertical partition 22 providing an air inlet chamber 23 and an air outlet chamber 24, the partition being arranged so that the boiler proper is in the inlet chamber and the radiator and heat exchange unit in the outlet chamber.

An air filter 25 is desirably provided for the inlet chamber. The blower 26 conventionally shown by dotted lines is connected to the opening 21 in the partition and its outlet 28 is directed to deliver upwardly across the radiator and heat exchange unit. This arrangement enables the maintaining of, the desired circulation of air and it will be noted that the incoming air flows downwardly around the boiler while the blower discharges across the radiator and heat exchange unit with the result that there is an elfective heat exchange preventing the boiler from becoming over heated and also resulting in a furnace or heater of a large heating capacity even though it is compact and simple instructure.

I have illustrated and described my invention in a highly practical embodiment thereof. I have not attempted to illustrate or describe certain embodiments or adaptations which I contemplate as it is believed that this disclosure will enable those skilled in the art to embody or adapt my invention as may be desired.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. A hot air heater comprising a boiler including an upright combustion chamber of flattened cross section and of uniform diameter from end to end, an upright main Water reservoir of flattened cross section and of uniform diameter from end to end concentrically surrounding said combustion chamber, the space between the combustion chamber and water reservoir being of the order of one inch, there being a substantially greater space between the top of the combustion chamber and the top of the water reservoir, a heat exchange unit disposed horizontally in laterally oiiset relation to said boiler and comprising inlet and outlet headers and connecting tubes, the inlet header being connected to the top of the water reservoir, the outlet header being connected to the reservoir adjacent the bottom thereof, a radiator disposed horizontally below said heat exchange unit and comprising inlet and outlet headers connected by a pliuality 0;" fiues, the inlet header being connected to the combustion chamber, the outlet header having a discharge flue, said radiator in its entirety being disposed generally on the same side of said boiler as said heat exchange unit, a casing embracing said boiler and heat exchange unit and radiator and having a vertical partition disposed between said boiler and said heat exchange unit and said.radi-- ator and providing inlet and outlet air chambers open at the top, the boiler bein in the inlet chamber and the header and radiator being in the outlet chamber, and a blower arranged in the outlet chamber at the bottom thereof and having its inlet connected to the inlet chamber and arranged to discharge upwardly across said radiator and heat exchange unit.

2. A hot air heater comprising a boiler including an upright combustion chamber, an upright main water reservoir concentrically surrounding said combustion chamber, a heat exchange unit disposed horizontally in laterally oiiiset relation to said boiler and comprising inlet and outlet headers and connecting tubes, the inlet header being connected to the top of the water reservoir, the outlet header bein connected to the reservoir adjacent the bottom thereof, a radiator disposed horizontally below said heat exchange unit and comprising inlet and outlet headers connected by a plurality of fines, the inlet header being connected to the combustion chamber, the outlet header having a discharge flue, said radiator in its entirety being disposed generally on the same side of said boiler as said.

heat exchange unit, a casing embracing said boiler and heat exchange unit and radiator and having a vertical partition disposed between said boiler and said heat exchange unit and said radiator and providing inlet and outlet air chambers open at the top, the boiler being in the inlet chamber and the header and radiator be ing in the outlet chamber, and a blower arrange: in the outlet chamber at the bottom thereof and having its inlet connected to the inlet chamber and arranged to discharge upwardly across said radiator and heat exchange unit.

3. A hot air heater comprising a boiler including an upright combustion chamber or" flattened cross section and of uniform diameter from end to end, an upright main water reservoir of fiattened cross section and of uniform diameter from end to end concentrically surrounding said combustion chamber, the space between the combustion chamber and water reservoir being of the order of one inch, there being a substantially greater space between the top of the combustion chamber and the top of the water reservoir, a heat exchange unit disposed horizontally in laterally offset relation to said boiler and comprising inlet and outlet headers and connecting tubes, the inlet header being connected at the top of the water reservoir, the outlet header being con- I nected to the reservoir at the bottom thereof, a radiator disposed horizontally below said heat exchange unit and comprising inlet and outlet headers connected by a plurality of fines, the inlet header being connected to the combustion chamber, the outlet header having a discharge flue, said radiator in its entirety being disposed generally on the same side of said boiler as said heat exchange unit, a casing having a downdraft inlet chamber arranged to direct incoming air around said boiler and an outlet chamber in which said radiator and said heat exchange unit are disposed, and a blower having its inlet connected to said inlet chamber adjacent the bottom thereof and arranged to discharge across said radiator and said heat exchange unit.

d. A boiler including an upright combustion chamber, an upright main Water reservoir concentrically surrounding said combustion chamber, a heat exchange unit disposed horizontally in laterally relation to said boiler and comp g inlet and outlet headers and connecting tubes, the in et header being connected at the top of the water reservoir, the outlet header being connected to the reservoir at the bottom thereof, a radiator disposed horizontally below said heat exchange unit and comprising inlet and outlet headers connected by a plurality of fiues, the inlet header being connected to the combustion chamber, the outlet header having a discharge flue, said radiator in its entirety being disposed generally on the same side of said boiler as said heat exchange unit, a casing having a downdraft inlet chamber arranged to direct incomin air around said boiler and an outlet chamber in which said. radiator and said heat' exchange unit are disposed, and a blower having its inlet connected to said inlet chamber adjacent the bottom thereof and arranged to discharge across said radiator and said heat exchange unit.

5. A hot air heater comprising a boiler including an uprightcombustion chamber and an upright water reservoir concentrically surrounding said combustion chamber, said combustion chamber and reservoir being oi'uniform diameter from end to end, the space between the combustion chamber and water reservoir being of the order of one inch, a heat exchange unit disposed in laterally offset relation to said boiler and having its inlet connected to the top of said reservoir and an outlet connected to the reservoir adjacent the bottom thereof, a radiator constituting a heat exchange unit connected to said combustion chamber to receive the products of combustion therefrom, said heat exchange unit and radiator being laterally ofiset relative to said boiler, said radiator in its entirety being disposed generally on the same side of said boiler as said heat exchange unit, an air inlet chamber in which said boiler is arranged, an air outlet chamber in which said radiator and heat exchange units are arranged, and a blower arranged in said outlet chamber below said radiator and having its in-- let connected to the inlet chamber to draw incoming air around said boiler, said blower being arranged to discharge across said radiator and heat exchange unit.

6. A boiler including an upright combustion chamber and an upright water reservoir concentrically surrounding said combustion chamber, a heat exchange unit disposed in laterally offset relation to said boiler and having its inlet connected to the top of said reservoir and an outlet connected to the reservoir adjacent the bottom thereof, a radiator constituting a heat exchange unit connected to said combustion chamber to receive the products of combustion therefrom, said heat exchange unit and radiator be ing laterally offset relative to said boiler, said radiator in its entirety being disposed generally on the same side of said boiler as said heat exchange unit, an air inlet chamber in which said boiler is arranged, an air outlet chamber in which said radiator and heat exchange unit are arranged, and a blower arranged in said outlet chamber below said radiator and having its inlet connected to the inlet chamber to draw incoming air around said boiler, said blower being arranged to discharge across said radiator and heat exchange unit.

7. A hot air heater comprising a boiler including an upright combustion chamber and an upright water reservoir concentrically surrounding said combustion chamber, said combustion chamber and reservoir being of uniform diameter from end to end, the space between the combustion chamber and water reservoir being of the order of one inch, a heat exchange unit disposed in laterally ofiset relation to said boiler and having its inlet connected to the top of said reservoir and an outlet connected to the reservoir adjacent the bottom thereof, a radiator constituting a heat exchange unit connected'to said combustion chamber to receive the products of combustion therefrom, said heat exchange unit and radiator being laterally offset relative to said boiler, an air inlet chamber in which said boiler is arranged, said radiator in its entirety being disposed generally on the same side of said boiler as said heat exchange unit, and an air outlet chamber in which said radiator and heat eX- change unit are arranged.

8. A boiler including an upright combustion chamber and'an upright Water reservoir concentrically surrounding said combustion chamber, a heat exchange unit disposed in laterally offset relation to said boiler and having its'inlet connected'to the top of said reservoir and an outlet connected to the reservoir adjacent the bottom thereof, a radiator constituting a heat exchange unit connected tosaid combustion chamber to receive the products of combustion therefrom, said heat exchange unit and radiator being laterally offset relative to said boiler, said radiator in its entirety being disposed generally on the same side of said boiler as said heat exchange unit, an air inlet chamber in which said boiler is arranged, and an air outlet chamber in which said radiator and heat exchange unit are arranged.

GEORGE W. FOLK.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 208,822 Hulings Oct. 8, 1878 391,031 Denslow Oct. 16, 1888 1,781,358 Zwerling Nov. 11, 1930 2,190,998 Somers Feb. 20, 1940 2,249,554 Daly July 15, 1941 2,269,055 Gower Jan. 6, 1942 2,387,437 Goggin Oct. 23, 1945 

